Kurukshetra (Haryana) [India], August 8 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has said that India is a country of youth, and the primary responsibility for achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047 lies with the younger generation. He acknowledged the ambition of this goal but expressed full confidence that the energy and determination of the youth would ensure its success.

Saini made these remarks while addressing the closing ceremony of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Inter-state Youth Exchange Program 2025 in Kurukshetra on Friday. Haryana Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, and Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam was also present at the event.

A total of 600 youth delegates from 23 states and union territories participated in the programme. The Chief Minister said the initiative offered a valuable opportunity for young people to connect, understand India’s diverse cultures, and learn from one another’s experiences.

‘Youth have come here from across the country—some from the North, some from the South, others from the East and West. Your languages may differ, your food habits may vary, and your folk songs and dances may be unique. But the one thing that unites us all is our identity as Indians. That is our greatest strength and shared pride,’ he said.

He urged the participants to share their experiences when they return to their home states and to spread awareness about the importance of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat and the spirit of Yuva Shakti, Rashtra Shakti. He emphasised that such initiatives not only promote cultural understanding but also strengthen national unity through youth engagement.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister shared five key success mantras for living a purposeful and impactful life. He advised the youth to maintain good health, treat education as a means to gain practical knowledge and skills, fulfil their civic responsibilities, become agents of positive change by upholding values and integrity, and use technology wisely for personal and national development.

He stressed that nation-building is not solely the responsibility of the government but a collective duty, particularly of the youth who are the driving force behind shaping the country’s future.

Highlighting the state’s efforts, he said that over the past ten and a half years, 1.80 lakh youth have been provided government jobs based on merit. Additionally, more than 2,000 job fairs have been organised, resulting in private-sector employment for over 1.06 lakh youth. To further boost employment, the state has created a dedicated MSME Department to promote entrepreneurship among skilled youth.

Saini also spoke about various youth-focused initiatives. He noted the establishment of the Foreign Cooperation Department to facilitate overseas education and employment, as well as attract foreign investment to Haryana.

Under the Haryana Skill Development Mission, 1,14,254 youth have been trained in both traditional and modern skills. The state has also launched several schemes for holistic youth development, including Saksham Yuva Yojana, Drone Didi Scheme, Contractor Saksham Yuva Yojana, HARIHAR Scheme, IT Saksham Yuva, and various scholarship programmes.

The Chief Minister said Haryana is the first state to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) and has integrated school-to-university education with skill development. The target to implement NEP-2020 in all colleges and universities by 2025 has already been achieved. He also mentioned the establishment of the country’s first Skill University—Vishwakarma Skill University—in Dudhola village, Palwal district.

He expressed happiness that participants in the youth exchange programme were introduced to modern skills and encouraged them to embrace new learning while taking pride in traditional knowledge.

Minister Gaurav Gautam praised the Chief Minister as a source of inspiration for the youth, noting the state’s achievements in education, sports, agriculture, infrastructure, and employment under his leadership.

Gautam described the youth exchange programme as a Laghu Bharat (Mini India), offering young people a platform to experience and celebrate India’s diversity. He underscored the critical role of youth in shaping the future and fulfilling the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India by 2047. (ANI)